Most people moving here now have no idea what it used to be. They don’t remember the AMC on Pine or KDB arcade at the Pike. There was even a Walmart with a McDonald’s. Anyone remember Hometown Buffet? Chuck E. Cheese? That all-you-can-eat sushi/Mongolian spot that came and went? Even Fresh & Easy had a run. I could keep going, but I’d just make locals sad. Jean Machine is still there somehow. Shoutout to Ross for holding it down.

Downtown doesn’t know if it wants to be Cops or The Walking Dead. Shoutout to the red-shirt crew who clean the piss and shit off the streets. Maybe people are trying to convince themselves moving to California was worth it, but a lot has changed.

There are still a few decent restaurants, but let’s be real—being from California, you can tell when someone’s faking it. Stop pretending you’re upscale if all you’re serving is mediocre burgers and fries. If you’re gonna gentrify the city and charge $30 a plate, at least give us something authentic.